VPD officers disciplined for misconduct during 2016 wellness check that turned into a brawl
Two Vancouver police officers have been disciplined for abuse of authority and using unnecessary force during a wellness check in East Vancouver in 2016 that turned into an all-out brawl.
Earlier this year, retired judge Carol Baird Ellan found misconduct allegations against Vancouver Police Department constables Eric Ludeman and Neil Logan to be substantiated.
Ellan was serving as the adjudicator in a complaint brought against the two constables before B.C.'s Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner. On Friday, she announced her decision on punishment for the two officers.
Ludeman will receive a reduction of one rank, while Logan will be suspended for eight days, according to Ellan's decision.
The two men will also be required to receive training or retraining on use of force, crisis intervention and de-escalation, and they cannot be promoted or serve as acting sergeants for at least one year.
The complaint against the two officers stems from the altercation that ensued after they were called to the home of Vladimir and Natalia Tchaikoun in March 2016. A neighbour had called 911 to request a check on Natalia's well-being.
OPCC records of the case indicate that what began as a door knock, with Vladimir responding, escalated into both officers entering the home and, eventually, into a physical fight with members of the Tchaikoun family in and around a bathroom.
Records show Vladimir suffered significant injuries, including a probable concussion, damaged teeth, severe bruising of the entire body including face, head, arms, legs, chest, back and abdomen, and also multiple lacerations on his head, face, lips, nose.
“(The officers') approach at the time was more consistent with an assault investigation than a well-being check,” Ellan said in her February decision that the complaint was substantiated.
The decision in the public hearing came after a separate review under the Police Act found in 2019 that the allegations of misconduct against both officers were not substantiated.
As a result of the brawl, several members of the Tchaikoun family were arrested and charged with assaulting an officer. Those charges were later stayed.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's David Molko
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.